Sterile surgical table cover

ABSTRACT

A device for covering a surgical tray of a Mayo stand, with a sterile layer on which surgical instruments may be placed. The cover is held on the tray by an elastic band, drawstring or other adjustable devices which partially or completely close the cover underneath the tray, and which substantially pulls up the skirt of the cover to furnish a form fitting covering of the tray. The material of the cover may be sterilized paper, woven, rubber, plastic or a combination of these materials. The elastic band or drawstring provides rapid and secure positioning of the cover on the surgical tray. A consistent and reproducible barrier can be provided on the cover to inhibit penetration and therefore violating the integrity of the sterile field. A non-slip coating can be provided between the cover and table to prevent movement of the cover with respect to the table during use.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This is a Continuation application of co-pending U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 09/964,182, filed Sep. 25, 2001.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The invention relates to a sterile cover for a medical table usedin a medical facility to protect a sterile field for surgicalinstruments or equipment placed on the table. Additionally the inventionrelates to a secondary cover that is simple to place and remove,yielding a clean looking and efficient cover to protect and maintain thesterility of the medical table.

[0004] 2. Description Of Prior Art

[0005]FIG. 1 shows a typical Mayo stand and FIG. 2 shows a typicalcover. The cover has a rectangular top and elongated skirt on threesides, with a very long skirt portion on the fourth side. The cover isheld in place merely by gravity. Sterile surgical table covers areessential in operating rooms to provide a barrier between thenon-sterile surfaces of medical and surgical tables and the sterilefield around the area of treatment, thereby preventing contamination ofsurgical instruments or other equipment used in surgery by bacteria fromoutside the sterile field. The drape sits atop a metal tray that thesurgical and operating room tools and equipment is spread upon. Over thefirst cover over the metal tray or Mayo tray the surgical technician orassistant historically places two towels to protect the surgicalequipment from penetrating through the first cover to the metal traythus breaking the sterile field barrier. As the towels are in a commonflat shape, the edges must be tucked under the edges of the tray topresent a clean and safe cover of the tray. Any breach of such towelcovering required removal of the surgical instruments and recovering thetable with sterile towels. The towels are tucked under the tray to notleave any drape which could catch on personnel or interfere withmovement.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The present invention is a secondary or fitted sterile cover fora surgical table and may be made of paper, plastic sheeting, cloth or acombination of two or more of these materials. The invention has a flatsurface that lays over the top of the tray and an adjustable skirt whichhangs down from the top of the table, and the invention is secured tothe table by an elastic band, or drawstring, on the edge of the skirt,which is part of the cover's design. The invention can be quicklyinstalled over the tray with the adjustable skirt fitting over the edgeof the tray to create a form fitting cover that saves time in theplacement and removal of the cover and give uniform and completecoverage of the tray while protecting the instruments that are placed orinadvertently dropped on the tray.

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES

[0007] The objects of the present invention are:

[0008] 1. To provide a sterile cover for the surgical table which doesnot use an excess amount of sterile material, thus saving manufacturingcosts and storage space.

[0009] 2. To provide an additional and sterile cover with addedprotection against penetration for a surgical table with a minimal skirtwhich does not touch or interfere with the legs or torsos of thesurgical team members, or touch the patient and itself collapses andgathers excess material from the secondary cover as well as gatheringthe excess material and draping from the primary covers, thus improvingsafety while at the same time improving the barrier against the breachof the sterile field.

[0010] 3. To provide a consistent, fast and easy secondary layer toprotect against penetration of the sterile field by sharp or hardinstruments.

[0011] 4. To provide a sterile cover with a skirt which will not touch,and will not be contaminated by, equipment which may be in the operatingroom.

[0012] 5. To provided a sterile cover which is securely held on thetable by an elastic band or drawstring, instead of merely by gravity.

[0013] 6. To provide a sterile cover which cannot be accidentallyremoved or improperly positioned when it is accidentally grasped by thehand of the member of the operating team, or when it is accidentallysnagged by a surgical instrument or other object which is being removedfrom the table or caught by persons or apparatus that moves around thetray.

[0014] 7. To provide a secondary protective sterile cover which canquickly adjust to various trays of different sizes and thicknessesbecause of the elastic band or drawstring or other adjustable gathererswhich is part of the design.

[0015] 8. To provide a sterile cover with a minimal skirt which will notcome into contact with, or be contaminated by, objects in the operatingroom when the adjustable Mayo stand is lowered toward the floor.

[0016] 9. To provide a one-piece sterile cover with a minimal skirtwhich can be rapidly secured on the table by a contracting elastic band,drawstring, or gatherer designs and which can fit a number of tablesizes.

[0017] Still further objects and advantages will become evident from thedetailed description of the invention, and the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018]FIG. 1 shows the Mayo stand and FIG. 2 shows a prior art coverwith long skirt held in place by gravity;

[0019]FIG. 3 shows the invention with minimal skirt attached to a Mayostand by use of an elastic band or drawstring at the edge of the skirt;

[0020]FIG. 4 is a side view of an embodiment showing the top piece and aseparate skirt piece sewn onto the top piece with the elastic gatherband; and

[0021]FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the embodiment of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022]FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 show the flat top surface member 2, made offlexible sheeting 6, of the cover positioned over the top surface of thetray that fits on the Mayo stand. The cover has a side skirt member 3,made of flexible sheeting 6, hanging down from the top surface member 2.The side skirt member 3 may have a side skirt seam 4 joining its twoends. The side skirt member 3 may have a top side seam 5 joining it tothe flat top surface member 2. At the bottom edge of the side skirt 3 isan elastic band, drawstring or other adjustment device 1 attached to theside skirt 3 and positioned around the entire perimeter of the bottom ofthe skirt 3. An alternate embodiment of the invention is made of onepiece of material (flexible sheet member 6) with the elastic band ordrawstring 1 around its perimeter. If the gathered cover that is thesubject invention is to be the sole barrier, it is desirable that it beimpervious to liquid, including any seams or connections.

DESCRIPTION-PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0023] The preferred embodiment or best mode of the invention would haveside skirt member 3 about 2 to 4 inches in width to provide enoughmaterial so that the adjustable band 1 can create a secure closurearound the bottom of the Mayo stand, yet with side skirt member 3 shortenough so that it does not hang down toward the floor so as to contactanything beneath the stand which might catch the sterile cover byinstruments, apparatus or people. The preferred embodiment wouldincorporate an elastic band which would allow the cover to be morequickly positioned over the Mayo stand and substantially closed beneathit by minimal effort by the person applying it to the stand.

[0024] OPERATION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] The invention is used as follows. The invention comes from themanufacturer in sterile condition enclosed in an impervious sterilepackage. The person using the cover would open the package by variousmethods and remove the sterile cover. The person would open the sideskirt member 3 and grasp the bottom of the skirt by the adjustable band1 around the perimeter of the skirt 3. One portion of the skirt 3 wouldbe positioned against a corresponding edge of the tray for the Mayostand, and then the opposite portion of the skirt would be positionedagainst an opposite edge of the tray of the Mayo stand. Then theseopposite skirt portions would be pulled downward toward the floor, atwhich time the elastic band 1 would contract thus pulling the loweredges of the side skirt member 3 toward each other under the edges ofthe tray on the shelf of the Mayo stand, thus securing the cover overthe tray of the Mayo stand in a manner to make it difficult for thecover to be accidentally pulled off the stand, and in a manner so thatthe skirt of the cover does not extend downwardly toward the floor tocome into contact with the legs or torso of the surgeons, assistants,patient, or by any equipment in the operating room beneath the top ofthe Mayo stand and thus maintain the sterile field. With the embodimentin FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the flexible sheet member 6 is positioned on thetray of the table or stand to be covered, and the elastic band ordrawstring 1 is pulled over the edge of the tray, and it contracts theperimeter of the flexible sheet member under the tray, thus securing thecover.

[0026] ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS

[0027] The invention can be made so that the flat top surface member 2has different rectangular dimensions to match different sizes of traysor Mayo stands or other tables and stands. The flexible material for thecover could be sterile paper, cloth, polyethylene, or similar flexibleplastic films. The invention could be sterilized by common andappropriate means. The invention could be made of one piece of flexiblesheeting with a drawstring or elastic band around its perimeter insteadof being made of two pieces, with appropriate seam treatment if seamsare used, the flat top surface member 2 connected by a top side seams tothe side skirt member 3. This version would be easier and cheaper tomake and would fit tabletops of varying sizes. Such one-piece cover mayhave a rounded rectangular shape adaptable to a variety of sizes ofrectangular tables or stand tops.

[0028] CONCLUSIONS, RAMIFICATIONS AND SCOPE

[0029] A number of changes are possible to the above invention, whilestill remaining within the scope and spirit of the invention. Materialfor the cover could comprise various kinds and thickness of paper,plastic, rubber, cloth, impervious fabric, as well as compositematerials including plastic coated paper. The top surface dimensions ofthe cover can be varied in many ways to fit various sizes of stands. Thewidth of the side skirt member 3 can be varied to accommodate differentthicknesses of trays of Mayo stand shelves as well as different degreesof closure underneath the trays that is desired. The securement devicefor securing the side skirt member 3 underneath the tray of the Mayostand may include in addition to the elastic bands and drawstringsincorporated into the edge of the skirt, hook and fabric (Velcro)strips, plastic or metal snap buttons, hooks and eyelets, belts andbuckles, or similar securing devices known to those skilled in the art.For use in cases where the Mayo stand may not be completely sterilized,the cover material of the invention may be waterproofed by variousmethods, such as coating with plastic, rubber, water repellentchemicals, etc. In situations where it is desired that the flat topsurface member 2 should not slip against the top of the tray of the Mayostand, the underside of the top surface member 2 can be coated withnon-slip rubber-like material 8 known to those skilled in the art.Likewise, the top surface member 2 can have a similar non-slip surface 7on the outside surface so that surgical instruments placed on the Mayostand on top of the top surface member 2 will not slip across thesurface. To withstand the weight of very heavy or sharp instruments orobjects placed on the top surface member 2, the material of theinvention can be reinforced by lamination with a tough plastic or wovenfabric layer along the outer rim or edge or over the entire surface. Themeans for attaching the side skirt member 3 to the flat top surfacemember 2 may include gluing, stitching, heat sealing by partial meltingor other means known to those skilled in the art.

[0030] The specifics about the form of the invention described in thisapplication are not intended to be limiting in scope. The scope of theinvention is to be determined by the claims, and their legalequivalents, not the examples given above.

I claim:
 1. A cover for a surgical tray and support stand comprising: a)a flexible flat top surface area with size and shape adapted to bepositioned to substantially cover the top surface of a surgical tray,said top surface area having an upper and lower surface; b) a flexibleside skirt area attached to said flat top surface area so as to form acontinuous skirt around the perimeter of said flat top surface area; c)a securement means for securing the bottom edge of said side skirt areaunderneath the edges of the tray, whereby said side skirt area and saidflat top surface area are held in position on the tray; and d) the lowersurface of said top surface area of said cover includes a coating of anon-slip material to prevent the top surface area from moving withrespect to the tray when positioned.
 2. The cover of claim 1, whereinthe top surface area and side skirt area are formed from plastic filmand said side skirt member is attached to said top surface area by heatsealing.
 3. The cover of claim 1, wherein the cover material comprisespaper.
 4. The cover of claim 1, wherein the securement means comprisesan adjustable band attached to the lower perimeter of said side skirtmember.
 5. The cover of claim 1, wherein the cover material isimpervious to liquid.
 6. The cover of claim 1, wherein the upper surfaceof said flat top surface member is coated with a non-slip coating. 7.The cover of claim 1, wherein a padding material is attached to the topsurface area.
 8. A cover for a surgical tray and support standcomprising: a) a flexible sheet member with size and shape adapted to bepositioned to substantially cover the top surface of a surgical tray,said flexible sheet member having an upper and lower surface; b) asecurement means for securing the perimeter of said flexible sheetmember underneath an edge of the tray, whereby said flexible sheetmember is held in position on the tray; and c) the lower surface of saidsheet member is coated with a non-slip material to prevent said sheetmember from moving with respect to said tray when positioned on saidtray.
 9. The cover of claim 8, wherein said flexible sheet member iscomprised of plastic film.
 10. The cover of claim 8, wherein saidsecurement means comprises an elastic band or drawstring attached to theperimeter of said flexible sheet member.
 11. The cover of claim 8,wherein the securement means comprises hook and fabric strips.
 12. Thecover of claim 8, wherein the upper surface of said flexible sheetmember is coated with a non-slip coating.
 13. The cover of claim 8,wherein the entire device is sterilized.
 14. The cover of claim 1,wherein said side skirt member is formed from plastic film and issubstantially rectangular in shape, and further comprising a side skirtseam which connects the two opposite ends of the side skirt member toeach other.
 15. The cover of claim 14, wherein said side skirt seam isformed by heat sealing.